Using a help signal in class

Learning goal

Use an agreed help signal when speaking to the group feels hard.

Materials

The student page below and a pencil.

Opening question · 3 minutes

“What is a quiet way to request help?”

A school situation · 5 minutes

Luca needs a direction repeated but does not want to speak in front of the class. The teacher has offered a help card.

One possible response · 4 minutes

Luca places the card on the desk. The teacher checks in quietly and repeats one direction. The card is a choice, not a test.

Practice · 10 minutes

What is a quiet way to request help?

1. A student does not want to ask a question in front of the whole class. A written question option is available.

2. A help card is on a student's desk, but the teacher has not noticed it yet.

Possible answers

1. Write the question or point to the confusing direction when the adult comes by.

2. Use the agreed follow-up signal or ask quietly, “Could you check my help card?”

Student page · 5 minutes

Use the ready-to-print student page at the end of this lesson. Students may write, draw, or give an answer aloud.

Exit question · 3 minutes

“Choose one of the stories. What could the student say or do first?”

Student page to print

Using a help signal in class

Write, draw, or say your answer. You may pass.

An example

Luca needs a direction repeated but does not want to speak in front of the class. The teacher has offered a help card.

What is a quiet way to request help?

One possible response: Luca places the card on the desk. The teacher checks in quietly and repeats one direction. The card is a choice, not a test.

1. A student does not want to ask a question in front of the whole class. A written question option is available.

What is a quiet way to request help?

2. A help card is on a student's desk, but the teacher has not noticed it yet.

What is a quiet way to request help?

One sentence to keep

Choose one story above. Write the first thing the person could say or do.